English · Stage 5

Have Done

Grammar & Punctuation — the present perfect (have/has + past participle) for experiences and just-now events, and when to use the simple past instead

✦ English📘 Stage 5 · S5⏱ ~10 min🧒 Ages 9–10★ Free to start

I can use the present perfect, as in I have seen, for experience and recent events.

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Kavi's 'Have Done' Window

"I have seen the sunrise — and it still feels close!" smiled Kavi. "When I say have or has + a special verb (the past participle — like seen, eaten, gone), I link something past to right now: an experience (I have climbed a tree) or a just-now event (It has just rained). But a finished time — yesterday, last week — wants the plain past instead. Let's open the 'have done' window together!"

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What your child will learn

1have / has + past participleTap each card to hear it. The present perfect uses a special verb form — the past participle — not the plain past.

2have / has + past participleChoose have or has (I/you/we/they → have · he/she/it → has), then add the past participle. The present perfect links a past action to right now.

3What the present perfect is for

4Present perfect or simple past?Read each sentence. Does it link to now (present perfect: have/has + participle), or name a finished time (simple past)? Tap the right box.

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A peek inside

Put eat into the present perfect for she: She ___ her lunch.

present perfect = have/has + past participle · she → has · eat → eaten

Try this at home: Make the present perfect: 'I ___ (see) that film.'

Ready to play and learn?

Start the free interactive lesson, or print the handout for screen-free play.

Start the free lesson →⬇ Download PDF

Part of English · Stage 5 · S5 on KAVI Academy — a secular, whole-child learning platform for ages 5–12.